Contact lens materials, designs, substances, and methods

• US 7,878,650 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Domestic Asset Limited Partnership, Legacy Assets Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: John H. Fritsch, Josephine M. Fritsch, Michael H. Fritsch
• Inventors: Fritsch, Josephine M., Fritsch, Michael H., Fritsch, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Greece; James R
• Application Number:
  US11/823,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20080002149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 351/160.R, 351/160.H, 351161-162
• US Class Current: 351/160.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/049 Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures

Abstract

A contact lens is provided that is capable of being worn by a user. The lens includes a contact lens body having an eye-engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface. Microphobic features are provided in the lens for eliminating microbes from the eye-engaging surface. Preferably, these microphobic features are chosen from a group consisting of electrical charge inducing agents, magnetic field inducing agents, chemical agents and textural features. In another embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens is provided that can include a reservoir portion capable of holding a performance enhancement agent for enhancing the performance of the lens. The performance enhancement agent can include such thins as sealant solutions, protective agents, therapeutic agents, anti-microbial agents, medications and reduced size transparent portions. In other embodiments, a wide variety of designs, materials and substances are disclosed for use with contact lenses.

Claims

1. A contact lens capable of being worn by a user, the lens comprising:

a contact lens body having an eye engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface, and

micro phobic features for reducing the amount of microbes on the eye engaging surface, the micro phobic features comprising textural features;

wherein textural features comprise a venting system for venting water from between the eye and the eye engaging surface;

wherein the lens body includes a central portion and a peripheral edge portion disposed radially outwardly of the central portion;

wherein the channels include a valve for directing the flow of water in a direction toward the peripheral edge of the contact lens body; and

where the valve comprises a series of baffles, and the baffles comprise at least one of venous valves and duck valves.

2. A contact lens capable of being worn by a user, the lens comprising:

a contact lens body having an eye engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface, and

micro phobic features for reducing the amount of microbes on the eye engaging surface, the micro phobic features comprising textural features;

wherein the contact lens body has a central portion and a peripheral edge, and the textural features comprise a seal forming structure disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the lens body for reducing the ability of water to infiltrate a space between a user'"'"'s eye and the eye contacting surface; and

wherein the seal forming structure comprises a leaflet having an inner skirt portion and an outer skirt portion, the inner and outer skirt portions disposed in a concentric relation to each other.

3. A contact lens capable of being worn by a user, the lens comprising:

a contact lens body having an eye engaging surface placeable against a surface of an eye and an outer surface, and

micro phobic features for reducing the amount of microbes on the eye engaging surface, the micro phobic features comprising textural features;

wherein the contact lens body has a central portion and a peripheral edge, and the textural features comprise a seal forming structure disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the lens body for reducing the ability of water to infiltrate a space between a user'"'"'s eye and the eye contacting surface; and

wherein the seal forming structure comprises an O-ring structure, the O-ring structure comprising a raised annular ridge formed to be a part of, and extend outwardly from the eye engaging surface.

4. The contact lens of claim 3 wherein the O-ring is capable of forming a water tight seal when the eye engaging surface of the lens is placed into engagement with an eye of a user.